Plastic bandage or splint

ABSTRACT

The disclosed structure comprises an elongated bandage of the wrap-around type. The bandage is composed of a plurality of superposed strips of cloth or the like, one of which carries plastic resin and another of which carries a hardener or catalyst. A barrier sheet is interposed between the strips to keep the resin and hardener separated, the barrier sheet being arranged to provide a multiplicity of openings over its surface upon manipulation of the package, whereby to bring the resin and hardener into contact uniformly over the surface of the bandage. Upon application of the bandage to a body part of the like, and upon setting of the resin, a rigid plastic bandage or splint is provided.

United States] Patent Snyder et al. July 4, 1972 54] PLASTIC BANDAGE 0RSPLINT 2,864,492 12/1958 Lappala ..206/47 [72] Inventors: Harold l. Snyder, R.R.s:l 3, PO. Box 489, Primary Examiner chafles F RosenbaumDover, Ohio 44622; Richard R.-Trexler, Asst-3mm Examiner J.Yask0 9509lfawndale Evanston' 60203 Attorney-Olson, Trexler, Wolters & Bushnell[22] Filed: Dec. 28, 1970 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 101,493

' The disclosed structure comprises an elongated bandage of thewrap-around type. The bandage is composed of a plurality [52] US. Cl..l28/90 of superposed strips of cloth or the like, one of which carries[5 l] Int. Cl. ..A6lf 5/04 plastic resin and another of which carries ahardener or [58] Field of Search ..128/90, 89,87; 206/47 catalyst. Abarrier sheet is interposed between the strips to keep the resin andhardener separated, the barrier sheet being 56] References Cit darranged to provide a multiplicity of openings over its surface uponmanipulation of the package, whereby to bring'the resin UNITED STATESPATENTS and hardener into contact uniformly over the surface of thebandage. Upon application of the banda e to a body part of et al. thelike, and p setting of the resin a p i bandage 2,292,531 8/1942 Lovell..l28/90 or splimis provide 2,218,844 10/1940 Lovell ..l28/90' 2,982,3965/1961 Shihadeh .L ..206/47 10 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PLASTICBANDAGE R SPLINT This invention relates to bandages andsplints, andconcerns particularly a bandage utilizing plastic, which uponmanipulation, and application to a body part, and upon setting of theplastic, will provide a firm and rigid bandage and splint to the bodypart to which it is applied.

Plastic bandages and splints have been heretofore provided, a principaladvantage of such structures being that upon setting of the plasticmaterial a firm and rigid structure is provided, much stronger inrelation to its weight, than bandages and splints formed of. moreconventional materials such as plaster or the like.

However, difficulties have been encountered in the fabrication andapplication of bandages utilizing plastic material. One problem hasbeenthe formation of excess heat, with its resulting dangers. An evengreater problem has been the difficulty in effecting a uniformintermingling of the plastic resin and the hardener or catalystuniformly over the surface of the bandage.

In accordance with the present invention a bandage is provided,utilizing plastic resin, incorporating means for effecting a uniformintermingling of the resin and the hardener or catalyst, over the entiresurface of the bandage, by a manipulation of the bandage structure,which may be readily effected prior to the application of the bandage tothe body part. Such uniform intermingling of the resin and hardener,over the entire bandage surface, eliminates the formation of hot spotsupon the bandage surface; and also effects a uniform distribution of thechemical reaction between the resin and the hardener, over the surfaceof the bandage, whereby to provide a uniformly reactive, while at thesame time a readily manipulatable bandage structure.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide abandage, using plastic material, which upon-manipulation, will provide amore uniform intermingling of the plastic resin and the hardener orcatalyst over the bandage surface.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bandage, of the typedefined, which minimizes the formation of hot spots" in the reaction ofthe plastic material.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bandage of the typedefined, utilizing plastic resin, wherein the polymerization of theplastic material may be effected in a more uniform and controlledmanner.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bandage of the typedefined, utilizing plastic material, and incorporating the advantagesand features set forth, which may be readily fabricated; and also easilymanipulated, to effect the polymerization of the plastic material.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a structure as aboveset forth, means for controlling the degree of polymerization of theplastic resin, to effect a varying of the strength of the completedbandage, and means to control the breathing or air permeability thereof.

Various other features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following specification, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein certain preferred embodiments of theinvention are set forth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like partsthroughout,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a body part, a human leg in the instanceillustrated, to which the plastic bandage or splint of the presentinvention may be applied;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a multiplicity of bandages of thepresent invention, after formation, and before separation intoindividual bandage units, one bandage unit being shown in separatedposition;

FIG. 3 illustrates a container or box, with a bandage unit therein, forexample as marketed;

FIG. 4 is a transverse section on an enlarged scale more particularlyshowing one of the bandage units;

FIG. 5 is a partial detail view, in longitudinal section and upon afurther enlarged scale, of the bandage unit shown in FIG. 4, taken asindicated by the line 5-5 thereof;

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view, similar to FIG. 4, but showingthe bandage in manipulated position;

' 'FIG. 7 is a partial view of the structure of FIG. 6, upon an enlargedscale, and with the plastic covering removed;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are detail views, more particularly illustrating theaction of the barrier sheet, in the bandage structure of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are sectional views of the barrier sheet of FIGS. 8 and9, on the lines 10-10 and 11-11 respectively;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are views similar to FIGS. 8 and 9, but illustrating amodified form of barrier sheet structure;

FIGS. 14. and 15 are sectional views of the barrier sheet structure ofFIGS. 12 and 13 taken on the lines l4--14 and 15-15 respectively;

FIG. 16 is a view, similar to FIG. 4, but incorporating the barriersheet structure of FIGS. 12 -15, and

FIG. 17 is a partial detail view of the structure of FIG. 16, aftermanipulation and with the plastic sheet removed.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, and first to the embodimentof the invention illustrated in FIGS. L1], in FIG. 1 there isillustrated a body part, in this instance a human leg 10, to which thebandage or splint structure of the present invention, generallyindicated by the reference numeral 12', is applied. As will be seen, thebandage unit is adapted to be wrapped in spiral fashion about the legwhereby to form a rigid plastic bandage or splint, as will behereinafter described.

- FIG. 2 illustrates the manner in which the bandage units of thepresent invention may be fabricated in multiple form, and then severedto provide the individual bandage unit structures. In FIG. 2 amultiplicity of interconnected bandage units 12 are shown, from whichone unit has been severed and separated.

FIG. 3 illustrates a separated bandage unit 12 in coiled position anddisposed within a container 14, ready for marketing to a doctor or user.The structure of the bandage is more particularly illustrated in FIG. 4,which is a transverse sectional view through the bandage structure. Moreparticularly, each bandage comprises a pair of outer enclosing plasticsheets 16 and 18; a pair of cloth strips 20 and 22 carrying plasticresin and adhesive, as will be presently described; a pair of barriersheets 24 and 26; and a central cloth strip as indicated at 28,impregnated with a hardener or catalyst for the plastic resin. Aspreviously indicated, the bandage units may be fabricated in multiple,for economy, one complete unit and a portion of an adjacent unit, beingdepicted in FIG. 4. In fabricating the units, the several sheets orlaminae may be brought together and adhesively secured, as indicated at30, FIG. 4, so that upon severance at the adhesively secured connection,a plurality of bandage units hermetically sealed along theirlongitudinal edges will be provided. Upon severance of the bandage unitsinto appropriate lengths, the ends 32, FIG. 2, thereof may be dippedinto wax, or other sealing media, whereby to provide individual bandageunits which are hermetically sealed both longitudinally and at the ends,whereby to provide peripherally hermetically sealed unit structures. Thefabricating operations may be conducted within an inert gas atmosphere,such for example as nitrogen, whereby an inert gas will be entrappedwithin the units, thus providing a maximum shelf life for the plasticresin. Entrapped gas, whether it be an inert gas or air, will alsopreferably maintain the bandage iamina in spaced or separated relation,indicated upon an exaggerated scale in FIG. 4.

Referringfurther to FIG. 4, it will be seen that when the bandage unitis in normal stored condition, prior to manipulation and use by thedoctor or other user, the encompassing plastic cover sheets 16 and 18,and the resin impregnated cloth strips 20 and 22, and the centrallydisposed hardener impregnated cloth strip 28 are in undulateddisposition; whereas the barrier sheets 24 and 26 are flat or taut,thereby determining the width of the bandage unit in its normalnon-manipulated position. Upon a lateral separation of the longitudinalbandage edges 30, by manual manipulation, the bandage unit will bemanually extended or widened, to the position indicated in FIG. 6,whereupon the barrier sheets or strips 24 and 26 are manipulated in amanner to permit a uniform interrningling of the plastic resin carriedby the cloth strips and 22, and the hardener or catalyst carried by thecloth strip 28, in a manner presently to be described.

Before discussing the detailed action of the barrier sheets, referenceis made to FIG. 5, wherein the several lamina or layers which make upthe bandage structure, are shown in separation and in further enlargedscale.

Referring to FIG. 5, the external plastic sheets 16 and 18 may be anysuitable relatively impervious plastic sheeting material, these plasticcovers serving as an impervious casing for the bandage during storage,and as a cover during manipulation; and these plastic covers arepreferably removed, as shown in FIG. 7, just prior to the time that thebandage is wrapped upon the body part in use.

The strips 20 and 22, which may be any suitable clothlike material,preferably are impregnated upon their inwardly facing surfaces with theplastic resin, as indicated at 34, and impregnated or coated upon theiroutwardly facing surfaces with a pressure sensitive or tacky adhesive,as indicated at 36. As will be understood, as the bandage is wrapped,for example in spiral fashion about a body part, the tacky adhesivesurfaces 36 will be brought into contacting superposing relation,whereby to impart an initial strength and partial rigidity to thebandage during and prior to the setting or polymerization of the plasticresin.

As further shown in FIG. 5, the barrier sheets 24 and 26 provide abarrier means between the plastic resin and the central impregnatedcloth strip 28 which carries the hardener or catalyst material.

The action and manner of functioning of the barrier strips is best shownin FIGS. 8-11, wherein one of the barrier sheets or strips, for examplethe sheet 24, is shown in greater detail. It will be seen that the stripis provided with slits or the like 38, in alternate staggeredrelationship, these slits normally being closed, as shown in FIG. 8, toprovide an effective impervious barrier between the plastic resin andthe hardener. Preferably the barrier sheets 24 and 26, which may befabricated for example of paper or plastic, are dipped into wax or thelike so as to provide an impervious barrier means between the plasticresin and the hardener material, to insure a long shelf life for theproduct.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 11, when the edges of the barrierstrips are laterally separated, by manual force, from the position ofFIG. 4 to the position of FIG. 6, the slits 38 will be opened up, in themanner of the action of expanded metal lath, and as is shown in FIGS. 9and 11, whereby to provide a multiplicity of perforations or openingsthrough the barrier sheets, so as to bring the plastic resin 34 and thehardener carried by the cloth strip 28 into contact, so as to initiatethe polymerization or setting of the plastic resin material. It will beseen that the arrangement and spacing of the slits 38 will determine thenumber and spacing of the openings through the barrier sheet upon manualmanipulation of the bandage. If a relatively large number of slits inclosely spaced relation are provided, a more rigid plastic bandage orsplint will result upon the setting of the plastic resin material, ascompared with an arrangement wherein the slits 38 may be fewer innumber, and more widely spaced, whereby to provide a bandage or splintof less strength, but of greater breathing capabilities. It will be seenthat the openings 38, thus provided, in effect act like a plurality ofspot welds as the plastic resin material is brought into activation at amultiplicity of spaced points. If the slits are closely spaced, asubstantially continuous welding or polymerization of the plastic resinwill result to provide a plastic splint or bandage of maximum strength.As will be understood, the undulated disposition of the cover plasticsheeting 16 and 18, and the cloth strips 20, 22 and 28, permits thedescribed separation of the openings 38 in the barrier sheets, as thelongitudinal edges of the bandage are laterally separated from theposition of FIG. 4 to the position of FIG. 6, by manual manipulation ofthe bandage structure.

In FIG. 7 the bandage is shown in condition to be wrapped about a bodypart, so as to provide a bandage or splint therefor, the several laminaeof the bandage structure having been brought into contactingrelationship, and the outer plastic sheets 16 and 18 having beenremoved. During manipulation, the plastic resin material and thehardener are brought into contact through the openings 38 in the barrierstrip, as previously described. Also during manipulation, the wax sealsat the ends 32 of the bandage will be ruptured, thus permitting theseveral lamina of the bandage structure to be brought into superposedcontacting relationship, as indicated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Whether theslits or openings in the barrier sheets are closely or widely spaced, itwill be seen that the plastic resin will be activated by the hardener orcatalyst, uniformly over the entire bandage surface. Uniformity is thuseffected by a simple manipulation of the bandage structure, and hotspots in the setting of the plastic resin are avoided. Depending uponthe nature of the plastic used, the doctor or other user may permit apredetermined time interval to elapse between manipulation of thebandage, to initiate the polymerization of the plastic resin, and thewrapping of the bandage structure about the body part. A predeterminedamount of heat may thus be dissipated prior to the application and useof the bandage about the body member.

As will be understood, the use of the tacky adhesive 36 is optional, andwhen used, a suitable cloth strip or sleeve may be wrapped about thecompleted bandage, such encompassing sleeve or strip being indicated bythe numeral 40 in FIG. 1.

As previously mentioned, the pattern of polymerization of the plasticresin may be controlled by the arrangement and spacings of the openingsin the barrier sheet. As will be understood, the degree ofpolymerization may also be controlled, or varied within limits, by theamount of manipulation imparted to the bandage by the doctor or userprior to the application of the bandage to the body part, viz., agreater degree of manipulation will effect a greater intermingling ofthe plastic resin and the hardener so as to maximize the polymerizationof the plastic resin layer.

In FIGS. 12-17 an alternate form of barrier sheet is employed. Referringto FIGS. 12 and 14, it will be seen that the barrier sheet in thisinstance is composed of two parts or layers 42 and 44, each of which isprovided with perforations 46, and the perforations being offset whenthe layers are in normal position, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14. The sizeof the openings 46 is such that there is a degree of overlap, asindicated at 48, when the layers are in normal position; and to insurethat the barrier sheet will form an hermetic seal between the plasticresin and the hardener, for a long shelf life of the bandage. The sheetlayers 42 and 44 may be dipped in wax prior to being superimposedwhereby the composite sheet, formed of the two layers, will provide animpervious barrier, prior to manipulation of the bandage structure. Moreparticularly, the wax dip will insure than an impervious seal is formedbetween the sheet layers along the contacting areas 48.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, when the two layers 42 and 44 are shiftedlaterally in respect to each other, the openings will be brought intoalignment, thus functioning in a manner similar to the openings 38 inthe barrier sheet previously described.

To effect a proper magnitude of shifting of the layers to bring theopenings 46 into alignment, as the bandage is manipulated, it will beseen by reference to FIG. 16 that one of the barrier sheet layers, forexample the layer 42, is secured to one longitudinal side seam of thebandage, whereas the layer 44 is secured to the opposite longitudinalside seam. By this means when the bandage structure has been laterallyextended to its full length determined by the amount of undulation orfullness in the plastic cover sheets 16a and 18a, and in the cloth webs20a, 22a and 28a, a degree of movement will be imparted to the barriersheet layers 42 and 44 sufficient but not excessive, to bring theopenings 46 into alignment. Such aligned position is shown in FIG. 17,which corresponds to FIG. 7 in the embodiment previously described, andwherein the outerplastic encasement 16a and 180 has been removed.

In the operation and use of the bandage structure, the doctor or userremoves the bandage from its container, and by manipulation of thebandage ruptures the wax end seals 32; and by effecting a lateralseparation of the longitudinal side edges of the bandage the openingspreviously described are formed in the barrier sheets between theplastic resin and the hardener, and the various laminae of thebandageare brought into contact, whereby to effect an intermingling ofthe plastic resin and the hardener. A continued kneading or manipulationof the bandage will further intermingle the plastic resin and thehardener, so as to effect the activation and polymerization of theplastic resin in a controlled manner. The pattern of the openings in thebarrier sheet insures a uniformity and ready mixing of the plastic resinand hardener materials. After a predetermined delay, to dissipate anyexcess heat, and as the resin is beginning to set, the plasticencasement may be removed and the bandage applied to the body part to bebandaged or reinforced.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A plastic bandage comprising a plurality of superposed lamina, one ofsaid lamina carrying plastic resin and another of said lamina carrying ahardener for the resin, and a flexible barrier sheet interposed betweensaid lamina to maintain a separation and provide an impervious barrierbetween the resin and the hardener, said flexible barrier sheet havingopenings in a predetermined pattern which are normally closed, saidflexible barrier sheet being operable by manipulation of the bandage toeffect the opening of said normally closed openings to permit aninter-mingling of the resin and hardener to effect the setting of theplastic resin.

2. A plastic bandage as defined in claim 1, wherein there is furtherprovided a plastic envelope for the bandage to provide an hermeticallysealed unit.

3. A plastic bandage as defined in claim 2, wherein said encompassingplastic envelope may be removed from the bandage without disturbing theremaining lamina of the unit.

4. A plastic bandage as defined in claim 1, wherein the barrier sheet isoperable by a stretching applied to the marginal edges of the bandageeffected by bandage manipulation.

5. A plastic bandage as defined in claim 1, wherein the superposedlamina are disposed within an inert gas to enhance the shelf life of thestructure.

6. A plastic bandage as defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality ofplastic resin carrying lamina is provided.

7. A plastic bandage as defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality ofplastic resin carrying lamina is provided, and the lamina carrying thehardener is disposed therebetween.

8. A plastic bandage as defined in claim 1, wherein there is provided aplurality of lamina carrying plastic resin, and wherein there isprovided a plurality of barrier sheets, one for each resin carryinglamina.

9. A plastic bandage as defined in claim 1, wherein the outermost laminais coated on its outer face with an adhesive adapted to be brought intosuperposed contact upon spiral wrapping of the bandage to enhance thestrength and rigidity of the bandage when in spiral wrapped positionupon a body part.

10. The method of making a rigid plastic bandage which comprisessuperposing a plurality of lamina to fon'n a bandage structure,impregnating one lamina with a plastic resin uniformly over its surface,impregnating an adjacent lamina with a hardener uniformly over itssurface, disposing a barrier sheet between said lamina to maintain theplastic resin and hardener separate, and perforating the barrier sheetin a predetermined pattern thus efiecting an intenningling of theplastic resin and hardener over the surfaces of said lamina inaccordance with said predetermined pattern.

2. A plastic bandage as defined in claim 1, wherein there is furtherprovided a plastic envelope for the bandage to provide an hermeticallysealed unit.
 3. A plastic bandage as defined in claim 2, wherein saidencompassing plastic envelope may be removed from the bandage withoutdisturbing the remaining lamina of the unit.
 4. A plastic bandage asdefined in claim 1, wherein the barrier sheet is operable by astretching applied to the marginal edges of the bandage effected bybandage manipulation.
 5. A plastic bandage as defined in claim 1,wherein the superposed lamina are disposed within an inert gas toenhance the shelf life of the structure.
 6. A plastic bandage as definedin claim 1, wherein a plurality of plastic resin carrying lamina isprovided.
 7. A plastic bandage as defined in claim 1, wherein aplurality of plastic resin carrying lamina is provided, and the laminacarrying the hardener is disposed therebetween.
 8. A plastic bandage asdefined in claim 1, wherein there is provided a plurality of laminacarrying plastic resin, and wherein there is provided a plurality ofbarrier sheets, one for each resin carrying lamina.
 9. A plastic bandageas defined in claim 1, wherein the outermost lamina is coated on itsouter face with an adhesive adapted to be brought into superposedcontact upon spiral wrapping of the bandage to enhance the strength andrigidity of the bandage when in spiral wrapped position upon a bodypart.
 10. The method of making a rigid plastic bandage which comprisessuperposing a plurality of lamina to form a bandage structure,impregnating one lamina with a plastic resin uniformly over its surface,impregnating an adjacent lamina with a hardener uniformly over itssurface, disposing a barrier sheet between said lamina to maintain theplastic resin and hardener separate, and perforating the barrier sheetin a predetermined pattern thus effecting an intermingling of theplastic resin and hardener over the surfaces of said lamina inaccordance with said predetermined pattern.